Hilux 4x4 Forum

I don't need new tyres now but looking at the prices I want to start saving for them right now
I'm thinking bigger and wider.
just not sure how big or how wide I can or should go ?
I have seen less capable vehicles climb over holes where I fell in
currently have 265 / 70 / 16
do I go bigger or wider or both ?
2012 vigo standard suspension with suspension levelling kit in the front
not looking at any other suspension mods right now
don't use the vehicle daily so not tooo worried about fuel consumption with the new wheels
suggestions ?

I have the cruzer size on. Very happy. 265 75 16. Thus sidewall is 5 percent of 265 larger. I have ome on but with spacers it should fit

Can't believe people are still buying spacers! F that!!! Anyway you should get away with 265 and have minimal scrubbing, it all comes down to what offset wheels your running!

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

I was thinking of going bigger in size. like 17" or 18". would that make a difference ? or must I rather do a higher profile than what I currently have ?

Anyone planning on doin any serious kind of offroading would regret goin any bigger than 16, 17 max. The ride once you go bigger than that horrible!

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

rigardt wrote:I was thinking of going bigger in size. like 17" or 18". would that make a difference ? or must I rather do a higher profile than what I currently have ?

The lower the profile the less air cushion you have between the rim and the road. This can affect general ride comfort to some degree, the probability of rim damage (potholes and rough terrain), and in an off-road situation allows less safe deflating of tyres for achieving a bigger 'footprint' that relates to traction.

So all round benefits favour going for a higher profile.

Mud Dog wrote:

rigardt wrote:I was thinking of going bigger in size. like 17" or 18". would that make a difference ? or must I rather do a higher profile than what I currently have ?

The lower the profile the less air cushion you have between the rim and the road. This can affect general ride comfort to some degree, the probability of rim damage (potholes and rough terrain), and in an off-road situation allows less safe deflating of tyres for achieving a bigger 'footprint' that relates to traction.

So all round benefits favour going for a higher profile.

to take Andy's point further -

when driving sand you need to deflate to increase the footprint. The bigger the rim size, the less you can deflate, actually restricting your options.

The same applies when doing rocky trails. You to slightly deflate the tires so the rubber can "mold over" rocks rather than being cut by it. But the danger is that you then damage the rims ... again larger rim sizes count against you.


The very serious trail riders actually switch to smaller rims, for the reasons above.



in 2013 we did a trip along the Orange River. There was one very tricky section. Coming out I went ahead and set up my video camera for the other vehicles - all different brands. All drivers with fair to decent trail experience. One gent got out and guided his friend - bump bump bump over the rocks ! Others had less bumps ... then comes an elderly gent in an IFS Hilux, they all stay in the vehicle, he never stops to check the trail, just looks ahead and scouts the route, he idles out without one single bump !! Stock standard Hilux !! simply no replacement for experience.

I run 265/75/16 BFG A/T's on stock Hilux/Fortuner rims and with a 2" LAS Profender suspension lift. Even with the lift, the left front was a nightmare, scrubbed on the front bumper something chronic. Especially when turning into my driveway. At least there was no scrubbing at the rear, which is where the real problems start. The front is easier to sort out by cutting the plastic stock bumper liners.

I decided to take the stock bumper off and fitted a GOMAD4x4 front bumper and solved that problem.

thanks guys. so will stay with my 16's but try a higher profile for my next tyres.